The road to the NE-10 title starts this Friday night. If you are going to win the league title, you need to limit mistakes and take advantage when your opponent makes a miscue. Let the chase begin.

Week 1 Capsules

St. Anselm (0-0, 0-0 NE-10) at # 18 Kutztown (0-0, 0-0 PSAC)

When: August 30th, 6:00 PM

All-Time Series: Kutztown leads the series, 4-0-0

My thoughts: These teams have taken different routes during the past four years since they signed up to start the season against each other.

Kutztown was always near the bottom of the PSAC and struggled to win games. But after getting Kevin Morton as the starting quarterback, the Bears have made the playoffs the past two seasons and are the favorite to win the PSAC East this year. Morton has been solid as quarterback over the years and will again have a lot of weapons to fuel the high powered offense. Josh Mastromatto will see the majority of the carries for the Bears. The only question mark for Kutztown is their defense. They have a lot of new starters but still have Alex DiNolfi patrolling the secondary from his secondary position. If the Bears are to be successful this year, the new faces on defense will need to lead the way.

St. Anselm has been making strides but the results are not showing up in the win column. They have been competitive at times but not able to put together a full 60 minutes consistently. The Hawks will have a new quarterback but he will be surrounded by plenty of play makers. Keith Charles will be the feature back and should see plenty of carries. Justin Bernard will highlight a very deep receiving core. The question for the Hawks will be on the defensive side. They will need to limit the big play ability of their opponents and help to keep the opposing offense on the sideline.

Kutztown has the ability to score early and often. They have a lot of talent on the offensive side of the ball and should not have a problem finding the weaknesses in the St. Anselm defense.

Prediction: Kutztown 42 St. Anselm 10

# 21 Bloomsburg (0-0, 0-0 PSAC) at Stonehill (0-0, 0-0 NE-10)

When: August 31st, 6:00 PM

All-Time Series: First Meeting

My thoughts:Prediction: Bloomsburg 35 Stonehill 10

Pace (0-0, 0-0 NE-10) at Bentley (0-0, 0-0 NE-10)

When: August 31st, 7:00 PM

All-Time Series: Bentley leads the series, 10-3-0

My thoughts: The road to the NE-10 opens up Friday night in Waltham.

Pace is looking to get things turned around. They have struggled the past several years to play consistently and look to start the season on the right foot. Jordan Raynor returns to lead the offense. He will have a couple of familiar faces to spread the ball around to. David Lopez was the anchor of the defense last year and will be called upon to do the same again. The Setters have a lot of new faces on both sides of the ball and will need to get them acquainted with college football.

Bentley looks to get the season started on the right foot. They have a veteran team and are expected to contend for the title. Danny Guadagnoli was named the starting quarterback and will have plenty of weapons to distribute the ball to. Booby Tarr will see the majority of the carries and the receivers have plenty of experience. The Falcons have an experienced defense as the Hopkins' brothers anchored the back end of it.

Bentley has more experience and should be able to move the ball with ease to take the opening game of the season.

Prediction: Bentley 45 Pace 7

Assumption (0-0, 0-0 NE-10) at Bowie State (0-0, 0-0 CIAA)

When: September 1st, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: Bowie State leads the series, 1-0-0

My thoughts: Both teams were picked to finish sixth in their respective conference so this match-up should be pretty evenly matched.

Assumption returns a solid core of players and hopes to build upon some late season success from 2011. The offense will be led by Matt Pedone who had a breakout season a year ago. He will see the ball frequently. The defense should be the stronger of the units with lot of returners. Nick Haag and Mike Bates will hope to lead the defense and slow down the opposing offense.

Bowie State is in a similar position to Assumption in the CIAA. They need to put together more consistent games in order to be successful in their conference. Their offense will be led by quarterback Tyrae Reid. He has a lot of returning starters surrounding him. The defense is young as it returns just four starters from a year ago.

Assumption will start the game slow but their defense will help to pick up a tough road win.

Prediction: Assumption 27 Bowie State 24

Merrimack (0-0, 0-0 NE-10) at # 16 New Haven (0-0, 0-0 NE-10)

When: September 1st, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: New Haven leads the series, 2-1-0

My thoughts: It is the first week of the season and the winner will take a huge step towards the league title.

Merrimack brings its high powered offense south to New Haven. Joe Clancy assumed the reigns of the offense after seeing time sparely the past two seasons. He has plenty of weapons to distribute the ball to. Jimon Hill will be the feature back. Isaiah Voegeli is also a deep threat and has a chance to make a game changing play each time he touches the ball. The Warriors lost some talent on defense but also have people ready to step in. Michael Wiggins and Artis Holt will anchor the defense and hope to slow down the opposing offense.

New Haven is the clear favorite to win the NE-10 as they return most of a team that made it to the quarterfinals last year. Ryan Osiecki is back and brings all of his favorite targets. Jason Thompson, Josh Smart and Demetrius Washington-Ellison form one of the top receiving duos in the country. Mike DeCaro will handle the running duties. The Chargers are equally strong on the defensive side. Mike Gomes, Bernard Risco and Raheem Stanley will be the focal point of opposing coaches in the scouting report.

New Haven knows the importance of every game and has the home field advantage. They also have the more talented team and should pull away from Merrimack down the stretch.

Prediction: New Haven 38 Merrimack 21

Southern Connecticut (0-0, 0-0 NE-10) at Indiana (Pa) (0-0, 0-0 PSAC)

When: September 1st, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: IUP leads the series, 6-0-0

My thoughts: Both teams have high hopes for 2012 but their success over the years has led to those high expectations.

Southern Connecticut also has a solid team but 2012 has a couple of questions. They only return five starters from a year ago so there has been plenty of teaching going on this summer in New Haven. Jacob Jablonski saw limited time last year but coach Rich Cavanaugh felt those snaps were going to help this year. He has Vaughn Magee and J.W. Forte in the backfield and Willie Epps to throw the ball to. The defense is young and will the key to the early success for the Owls.

IUP has a lot of talent back and expects to contend for the PSAC West title. Pat Smith is back at quarterback and he is surrounded by plenty of weapons. Harvie Tuck will be the focal point out of the backfield and has a very experienced offensive line that will be opening holes for him. Carl Thornton is part of a very experienced defensive line. Alex Berdahl will anchor the middle of the field as the Crimson Hawk defense is always quick and physical.

IUP is the more experienced team and should be able to control the tempo of the game.

Prediction: IUP 27 Southern Connecticut 10